Even the title "Mr. President" was set by Washington. Congress was kicking around ideas like "His exalted mightiness" and other very British royalty sounding titles like "his Majesty" and "His excellency." George Washington intentionally allowed the stripped down title to avoid the grandeur and pomp.

He also chose to give up power after two terms when he could have reigned as President for life, essentially becoming King. He handled enormous power in a dignified and responsible way, in a time when he really could have done almost anything he wanted.

He set the standard for how an American president behaves and handles power. If he set a different standard, who knows what our country would have become.